Homeless hostel sold by Secret Millionaire searches for new home

Homeless hostel sold by Secret Millionaire searches for new home

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David Pearl

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Shelter from the Storm manager Louie Salvoni

Appeal: Shelter from the Storm manager Louie Salvoni, centre, at the hostel

Tycoon: David Pearl

A shelter for the homeless in Islington is due to close its doors in two weeks after the property it occupies was sold by a "Secret Millionaire".

Shelter from the Storm, which provides beds for people who have lost their homes in the recession, has been operating in Canonbury for two years.

It has been using a building donated by property tycoon David Pearl, 62, who appeared on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire.

However, the economic downturn forced him to sell it and the new owners have told the charity to move out.

"I feel terrible, but I needed the money so I had to sell," said Mr Pearl, reported to be worth £233 million. "I'm doing everything I can to find them a new home, but there problem is that there's a real not in my back yard' mentality among a lot of residents. It's such a shame as these guys run a really tight ship."

Mr Pearl also hit out at the council, which had been approached for help. "The charity is providing an invaluable service to the borough and its homeless," he said. "The council has plenty of empty property. Why can't they use some of it?"

Shelter from the Storm manager Louie Salvoni said he was unsure what would happen to residents. "We're getting really close to our deadline. We have the money for rent, we just cannot find anywhere willing to take us."

The organisation is run by 250 volunteers. Residents include teenagers and a 63-year-old woman.

It provides 1,200 beds a year, looking after an average of 40 people a night six nights a week. More than 30 per cent of those given shelter are eventually helped back to work and into mainstream accommodation.

Labour councillor Paul Convery, said: "They do excellent work and we want to help them."